IT may be less than all other clubs, but Valentine have made the most of limited time on the paddock this season to remain undefeated after two outings.
New recruits Nicholas Martinelli (Jets Youth), Ryan Clarke and Carl Thornton (Maitland) all scored goals in a 20-minute period either side of half-time during Valentine's 3-1 catch-up win over Lakes at CB Complex on Easter Monday.
Valentine, who beat Adamstown 4-1 a month ago in their only previous match, now have six competition points and move into a share of fourth spot on the men's Northern NSW National Premier League ladder.
"It was difficult conditions today, but it was just good to get on the park," Valentine captain-coach Adam Hughes told the Newcastle Herald.
"We know the spacing between games isn't ideal and things haven't fallen as expected since the season started ... but they're different hurdles you've just got to learn to manage."
Martinelli opened Valentine's account on the brink of the break, cleaning up a Harrison Lane cross for a 1-0 lead.
Clarke doubled the advantage for the home team in the 54th minute, finishing off some neat lead-up work from both Dylan Newbold and Hughes.
Ten minutes later Thornton made it 3-0 when he headed home a looped delivery from former A-League player Nick Cowburn.
Lakes pulled a goal back in the 70th minute when a Jordan Preston corner managed to find its way across the line at the near post.
Roosters manager Keelan Hamilton says he wants to see more effort from his players on the pitch.
"Today is a learning moment for our group. When you don't play with the correct amount of work ethic and intent these results will happen. It was a disappointing performance all round, but we will dust ourselves down and learn from it," Hamilton said.
Lakes back up against Cooks Hill at the Fearnley Dawes Athletics Field on Sunday (4:30pm) while Valentine now meet the Bears at Weston, also on April 24 (2pm).
Elsewhere in round seven, Saturday sees joint leaders Maitland host third-placed Broadmeadow at Cooks Square Park (3pm) and Lambton tackle Olympic at Arthur Edden Oval (4:30pm).
Rosebud and Charlestown have an Anzac Day clash at Adamstown on Monday (2pm).
Edgeworth has the bye.
LADDER: Maitland, Charlestown 10; Broadmeadow 9; Valentine, Lambton 6; Lakes 4; Weston, Olympic, Edgeworth 3; Cooks Hill 1; Adamstown 0.
